Doctor finally appointed at Bangladesh Medical University 15 years after passing recruitment test

A doctor has been appointed at Bangladesh Medical University (formerly Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) 15 years after he passed the recruitment test.

Dr Abdul Alim, has been appointed an assistant professor in the university's anesthesiology department, according to an office order signed by the university's Registrar Professor Dr Nazrul Islam. 

Dr Alim joined work today (18 March) after receiving the appointment letter.

In 2010, Dr Alim received the final approval of the recruitment board for appointment in the post of assistant professor based on merit. 

He alleged that his appointment was blocked because he is a lifelong member of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP doctors' organisation.

"The previous administrations had withheld my appointment only due to political vendetta. My long suffering has come to an end due to the initiative of the current vice-chancellor and the administration."

Before joining the new post, this doctor was working as the head of the anesthesiology department at the Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh.

According to information from Bangladesh Medical University, a notification was published in 2010 for the appointment of six posts as assistant professors in the university's Department of Anesthesiology. 

The selection board had recommended the appointment of six candidates including Dr Abdul Alim. However, the university's syndicate meeting approved the appointment of five of the recommended candidates.

Registrar Professor Dr Nazrul Islam said, "Even after passing the written and oral examinations, Dr Alim's appointment was blocked only due to political vendetta. However, his passing results were preserved. The current administration approved the appointment in a syndicate meeting. Dr Alim is now a doctor at this university."

Not only in 2010, Dr Alim had appeared in recruitment tests at the university two more times.

In 2014, a notification was published for recruitment in two posts in the anesthesiology department. The written and final oral examinations were conducted in that year. Dr Alim passed the test. However, no one was appointed. 

In 2015, another notification was issued in the same department. Dr Alim passed the written test. However, when he went to take the oral test on 27 December of that year, he was reportedly locked in a room and assaulted allegedly by a few Awami League-affiliated doctors. He was later rescued by the proctor but he could not take the oral test. 

In 2016, Dr Alim filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station over the incident, alleging kidnapping and detention.

On 18 August last year, after the fall of the Awami League government, Dr Alim applied for appointment to the post he had passed in 2010.